After completing the rollout in schools and learning institutions, the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) is set to expand the Free Wi-Fi for All program to include barangay halls and health centers in the latter part of 2026.
“Kasi ang priority po namin ngayon is lahat ng eskuwelahan ng DepEd, so ‘yan tatapusin po natin ‘yan,” DICT Secretary Henry Aguda said during the 2025 Post-State of the Nation Address (SONA) Discussions in San Juan City on Wednesday.
“Tapos next year, aarangkada tayo sa mga health services at mga barangay halls. Para pag pumunta po kayo sa mga barangay halls ay nakakagamit kayo ng hindi lang libre pero maayos na WiFi,” Aguda added.
Aguda also said the DICT is having discussions with the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) to standardize the Service Set Identifier (SSID) mandated by the government to secure public internet connections.
In the future, the government will require the use of a national ID to enable users to access the system, he noted.
“Para ma-track namin kung sino ‘yung mga gumagamit. Ngayon kasi nagkakalituhan. ‘Yun iba nagpapanggap na free WiFi pero kinukuha ‘yung data niyo. Ii-standardize po natin ‘yan in the coming weeks,” said Aguda.
Recognizing the importance of visibility and accessibility, the Free Wi-Fi for All program currently provides free public internet access across a wide range of key locations. | PND
